Date-night handmade Italian dinner in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon: THE MUA

Had dinner at a really nice Italian spot last week 🍝 THE MUA, a new hot place in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon. The owner chef has experience working in Australia and makes everything by hand, so I went in with high expectations.

THE MUA location, hours, and parking

It's in the restaurant alley near Tanbang Elementary School — right in front of Origin Tanbang-dong, so it's easy to find.

Daejeon THE MUA

• Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
• Break time: 15:00-17:00
• Last order: 20:20
• Parking: beside the restaurant (about 3-4 spots) or nearby alley parking
• Baby chairs available
• Group seating / private room available
• Corkage available: free on Thursdays

Why I'd recommend it for a first date

The hall has seats for groups of 2 to 6. The tables have generous spacing, which makes it a spot I'd recommend for a Daejeon first date. It's a bit awkward when the table next to you clocks that you're on a date, right ^^ ..? Here the tables are far enough apart that you don't have to worry about that and can just focus on the conversation.

Room for up to 8, good for gatherings too

The inner room has two 4-person tables, seating up to 8 people at once. It's separated from the main hall, so it's private. Seems like a good spot for year-end parties or Cheongmo (blue hat / graduation) gatherings too. In the room, other guests were having a get-together with wine — such a warm, cheerful vibe haha.

Weekday lunch pre-order reservations

On weekdays, you can pre-order lunch for same-day pickup. Reserve by phone or Naver Talk Talk by 11:30 on weekdays and your food will be ready when you arrive, they said. The lunch set even comes with a drink, so you can handle your café stop in the same seat. If you work nearby, put this on your list of Tanbang-dong lunch spots.

Orders are placed via QR code

What we ordered and prices

• Lobster croquette ₩9,900
• Fresh hanwoo lasagna ₩19,900
• Quattro mushroom gnocchi ₩16,900

When you can't decide between all the dishes you want, ordering the best-seller or signature dish is always a safe bet, right?

Got the drinks through a Naver review event ~~ you can choose between cold brew or ade

Lobster croquette

The lobster croquette, listed as the owner's pick No. 1 menu item! Made by hand-picking the meat off boiled lobster to make the croquette.

Crispy > moist > savory. The green leaf on top was an ingredient I'd never heard of, but they said it's meant to be eaten together with the croquette. Nothing overpowering, everything worked together.

Even though it's fried, it's not greasy at all and tastes clean, so it's easy to start the meal with, no heaviness ~~

Fresh hanwoo lasagna

Whoa, this is good. Highly recommend the fresh hanwoo (Korean beef) lasagna. Definitely ordering it again next time. The lasagna sheets were tender, the hanwoo ragu was soft. The subtle tomato sauce hits with a tangy note that made me go wow. Since it's fresh pasta, it just slides right down. Super thin, like dumpling skin, slurp slurp.

Cheese bomb

Packed with meat too, a really well-made dish. Sounds like the lasagna is a limited menu item and sometimes sells out. You... popular one... no wonder you're different.

Quattro mushroom gnocchi

Look at that golden-brown finish ~~ They make the gnocchi dough by hand too, apparently, and the texture is soft and fluffy.

You get a little bite of mushroom in the sauce with a subtle depth of flavor, kind of like sweet caramel popcorn. I kept scooping it up with my spoon. Total Daejeon gnocchi spot ㅠㅠ ㅋㅋㅋ

Next time I'll order the focaccia to dip in the gnocchi or pasta sauce.

Corkage conditions

Corkage is ₩10,000 per bottle, free every Thursday.

Final thoughts

THE MUA in Tanbang-dong has gotten popular enough by word of mouth that weekend lunch reservations fill up. The food plating was clean and the staff were kind, so I left feeling good about the meal. I love that everything is handmade, and that nothing was over-seasoned — a total win. Sometimes after eating Italian food I have trouble digesting, but here my stomach felt totally fine haha. Recommending this Daejeon Italian restaurant!